No matter how you cut it, this has been a fantastic year for Warhammer. As we reflect on the sheer amount of unbelievable models that hobbyists around the world are now enjoying, it’s astonishing to think that this is just one year’s offering. And if you're not in the mood for reflecting, let this video remind you of the best bits from the past 12 months.
There’s something here for literally every kind of Warhammer fan – display painters, collectors, competitive gamers, book lovers… you name it.
It’s been our pleasure to see what hobbyists have done with some of the best kits released to date. We’ve selected a few standouts to highlight below, but we want to hear which ones you loved, too. Head to Facebook and tell us all about your favourites.
The Triumph of Saint Katherine
The dramatic display
One of the most jaw-dropping models of 2020 isn’t a massive, all-powerful god-like beast or engine of war. This ensemble cast of Sisters Pronatus of the Adepta Sororitas (complete with cyber-cherubs!) is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Taken as a whole, the arrangement elevates the very concept of what a strong character piece can be within an army.
Mindstealer Sphiranx
Sass for daaays
We’ve seen cats in Warhammer before, but never distilled into such a pure expression of feline guile. That taunting grin and lolling tongue, the proud, defiant pose… Pure grace. Unfathomable Chaos. Attitude. Every cat person (and most dog people) immediately get what the Sphiranx is about. It was an immediate hit and will surely remain a popular choice for top-tier painters.
Warhammer 40,000 Indomitus
The showstopper
Every. Single. Model in this box was top-tier. Indomitus ushered in a new edition of Warhammer 40,000, and there were LOADS of rad minis stuffed in there. Each and every unit in the boxed set was new, from the terrifying updated look for Necrons to a fresh set of heroic Primaris Space Marines.
Luckily, you can still get most of these awesome models in boxes like Warhammer 40,000 Command Edition, so there’s no need to worry if you missed out on Indomitus itself.
Mega-Gargant
An evolutionary stomp
Mega-Gargants are the natural progression of the gargants we’ve known and loved for many years, with design cues stretching far back into the annals of Warhammer history. Not only can every faction in Warhammer Age of Sigmar ally with one, but they can also be taken in mighty Sons of Behemat armies, composed entirely of these hulking monsters.
The Mortal Realms are still quaking under their thunderous tread, and it’s fair to say they’ve captured the imagination of the modelling community, featuring in loads of awesome conversions and boundary-pushing paint jobs.
Szarekh, the Silent King
Extinguishing all life in the galaxy – in style
As the powerful leader of one of the mightiest factions in all of Warhammer 40,000, this model attracted some high expectations. Somehow, the final design manages to exceed them.
Replete with details that speak to Szarekh’s power – the enslaved C’tan Shard, the two other members of the infamous Triarch, and the hovering Menhirs – this model looks every bit the galaxy-dominating arch-villain.
That’s not all! We’ve seen new models for legendary heroes such as Ghazghkull,* Ragnar Blackmane, Teclis, and Ephrael Stern & Kyganil. There’s been the almost unbelievable Light of Eltharion and C’tan Shard of the Void Dragon kits – it’s been so difficult to narrow it down to just a few highlights!
Beyond the models, we’ve seen the narrative pushed forward in both Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Age of Sigmar with the release of the epic Psychic Awakening series and the beginning of the Broken Realms saga. We’ve also had the release of Warhammer 40,000: The App, putting the 41st Millennium in the palm of your hand for the very first time. The subsequent launch of the Battle Forge beta was the cherry on top of this delicious, digital sundae.
Rest assured, 2021 is gearing up to knock your new Christmas socks off. If you’ve been keeping up with our preview events, you’ve got a good idea of the amazing work that’s coming very soon.
* And – perhaps more importantly – for Makari, too.